Hong Kong

Do you need a car in Hong Kong? Introduction

Is it worth hiring a car in Hong Kong? I’ve included Hong Kong simply because it is the most extreme example of a city where a hire car is a complete non-starter.

You simply cannot even get a hire car at Hong Kong airport, nor would there be any reason to consider doing so. Some major car hire companies such as Avis do have offices elsewhere in Hong Kong, but prices are exorbitant and there is just no need.

Even in somewhere “obvious” like Venice, there are numerous reasons why getting a hire car can be a great idea for exploring outside the city, whereas here, the idea of Hong Kong car hire remains all but a non-starter.

Naturally, it goes without saying that Hong Kong has one of the most modern and extensive mass transit systems in the world, backed up by extremely high frequency buses and those legendary double-decker trams – and walking is also easy, even if it can get a bit sticky in the tropical heat.

Why should you rent a car in Hong Kong?

What are the main reasons for hiring a car here? Do you just want to drive locally? Do you want to go further afield, or should you even look at taking a road trip?
In terms of factors like the cost of the hire itself, fuel costs, road tolls and parking charges, is it worth hiring a car in Hong Kong?

€470

Free parking score

1%

#300/300

Well basically, you can’t, or if you really wanted one, you could pick up a car in Central, but you are going to pay through the nose (don’t expect any change out of HKG 1,000), and then you will need to pay for parking on top.

However, if we swap “car” for “taxi” or simply we ask – why go around by road in Hong Kong, instead of by MTR or ferry, then that’s an entirely different question!

Hong Kong road trip (buses and taxis)

There are no car rental facilities at Hong Kong International airport, and only a handful of car-rental offices within Hong Kong itself. Even if you go across the board into Shenzen, none of the major Western car hire companies are represented – so essentially, car hire in Hong Kong is all but a non-option.

[whynot city=”Hong Kong”]

Or essentially:

Hong Kong by MTR train, tram and ferry

Given that Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet and that the import of cars is so heavily taxed, it is hardly surprising that public transport and other means of getting around are of a very high quality. In fact, Hong Kong is one of the few cities in the world (perhaps together with Amsterdam, London, New York and San Francisco) where numerous different means of transport are effectively icons of the city in their own right, rather than just means of getting around. Here is just a small selection of options:

Visit Ocean Park and take a choice of outdoor escalator, funicular railway or cable car to get to there.

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car on Lantau Island, leading up to Po Lin Monastery.

Hong Kong by bus / minibus or bus tours.

Hong Kong on foot – pedestrian highways.

Hong Kong parks and beaches/hiking trails.

The Star Ferry or the hydrofoil to Macau are two essential experiences when visiting this part of the world. Taxis are also widely available throughout Hong Kong -note that different colours denote different districts.

Is it worth hiring a car in Hong Kong? If your plan is to carry onwards into mainland China, then public transport is pretty good throughout the Pearl River Delta region, but if you do want to hire a car, it is much better to do so once on the other side of the border. Note that it is still very difficult to find Hong Kong or Shenzen car hire deals using online search engines. Be prepared to have to check locally and pay through the nose.

Verdict – very strong no!

Ratings

Car rental in - Hong Kong Need v worth & should!

Do you need a car in Hong Kong?

Based on comparison with transit and walking/cycling?

Is it worth hiring a car in Hong Kong?

Based on value for money?

Should you rent a car in Hong Kong?

Weighing up the above questions, if you are here for the first time AND asking about hiring a car, is it a good idea?

Who is travelling?

Is it worth renting a car in Hong Kong if I am a solo / budget traveller?

What about for 2 people travelling together?

What about for families?

Where are you staying?

Do you need a car in Hong Kong if we are staying in the city centre / main resort area?